This year's Sunshine Run is backed by a 35-strong team of legal experts.

Staff from Newcastle firm, Hay and Kilner, are taking part in the race for the second successive year and hope to beat the £3,000 they raised last time.

Bosses at the firm, in Newcastle's Cloth Market, have said they will match any sponsorship money collected by staff.

The race is to support the Chronicle's charity for sick children, the Sunshine Fund, and organisers are hoping for a high turnout.

Hay and Kilner's team captain, Bruce Howarth, said: "There are people from throughout the firm taking part. We have got people from both our Newcastle offices and the one we have in Wallsend.

"Some are experienced runners and others are really stretching themselves.

"I've been made team captain but I doubt very much I will get the highest finish."

The team have had a special set of T-shirts printed for the event.

Gail Peters, marketing consultant at Hay and Kilner, said: "We are paying the entrance fees of all of our competitors and the firm have said they will match any sponsorship raised.

"The Sunshine Fund is a great cause and they do some fantastic work around the region.

"We are thrilled to be taking part - let's just hope we can raise more money than last year."

This is the third year the Sunshine Run has been staged. It follows a 5k route along Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides, passing the Millennium Bridge and ending at the Baltic Centre.

This year's event is taking place on July 7, at 7pm. It has the backing of leading North East sports stars including Newcastle United manager, Sir Bobby Robson, Newcastle Falcons coach, Rob Andrew, and gold-medal-winning paralympian, Stephen Miller.

Last year 800 people took part and raised £32,000 for the Sunshine Fund, which pays for equipment that significantly improves the lives of sick and disabled children in the North East.

To enter, phone our hotline on (0191) 201 6340 or go to www.eveningchroniclesunshinefund.org.uk or e-mail sunshinerun@ncjmedia.co.uk